Search Results (2,484)

Fluopyram is a broad-spectrum fungicide and nematicide used in foliar sprays and seed treatments. Despite its low volatility and moderate solubility, it is frequently detected beyond application sites in air, soil, and water. As a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-class “forever chemical”, its off-site presence raises ecotoxicological concerns. We conducted a 61-day greenhouse experiment to assess the effects of fluopyram residues in soil (0, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.78 mg kg⁻¹ soil) on two cover crop species (Italian clover, Trifolium incarnatum; cornflower, Centaurea cyanus), earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris), springtails (Folsomia candida), and litter decomposition. Measured endpoints included plant establishment, growth, biomass, photosynthetic efficiency, root architecture, soil fauna activity, and litter breakdown. Responses were species-specific and did not exhibit clear dose–response relationships. Height growth in Italian clover and cornflower showed significant treatment × date interactions, whereas establishment and biomass production remained unaffected. In Italian clover, root diameter increased with fluopyram concentration, while root length and volume showed non-significant trends. Cornflower roots exhibited fewer crossings at higher concentrations but were otherwise unaffected. Photosynthetic efficiency remained unchanged in both species, although it tended to decrease modestly in cornflower at the highest concentration. Springtail surface activity density was generally influenced by fluopyram, with significant treatment × date interactions at 0.04 and 0.78 mg kg⁻¹. Earthworm effects were inconclusive due to low survival rates. Neither litter decomposition rate nor stabilization factor was affected. Our results show that fluopyram residues in soil can induce subtle, species-specific effects in non-target organisms. However, long-term studies are needed to clarify how this highly persistent active ingredient and its degradation products accumulate in soils and interact with co-occurring pesticides, thereby improving ecological risk assessments. Full article

Microbial inoculation has been unequivocally established as an effective strategy for promoting plant growth and enhancing salinity tolerance. The objective of this work was to examine the influence of AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) inoculation, whether applied singly or together with PGPR (Bacillus mycoides and Sinorhizobium meliloti), on osmotic balance, ionic homeostasis, soil nutrient status, and enzyme activities in salt-stressed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The results showed that salt stress significantly inhibited soil enzyme activities, reduced soil nutrient contents, and significantly increased the contents of osmolytes and Na⁺ in both leaves and roots of alfalfa. Additionally, the accumulation of Na⁺ in roots and leaves exhibited a significant negative correlation with soil nutrient contents (NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N, available phosphorus and available potassium) as well as with soil enzyme activities (sucrase and alkaline phosphatase). However, microbial inoculation significantly alleviated these adverse effects, mainly by increasing osmotic adjustment substances (e.g., proline), enhancing soil enzyme activities (e.g., urease), improving soil nutrient contents (e.g., soil organic matter), and promoting the uptake of K⁺ and Ca²⁺, thereby raising the K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca²⁺/Na⁺ ratios. Comprehensive analysis revealed that the co-inoculation treatments were superior to the single inoculations, with T7 (AMF + Rhizobium) exhibiting the best performance. This study provides a theoretical reference for the application of microbial inoculants to improve alfalfa performance under saline–alkali conditions. Full article

Emerging adults (18–25 years) experience the highest prevalence of mental illness, including anxiety and depression, affecting more than 11 million individuals in the United States. Traditional treatment approaches, such as psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, may not fully address the complex and interrelated risk factors unique to emerging adults. Targeting lifestyle behaviors, including diet, sleep, physical activity, and substance use, has emerged as a promising adjunctive strategy for the prevention and treatment of mental illness. Growing evidence suggests that these behaviors frequently co-occur and may exert synergistic effects on mental health outcomes. This review synthesizes findings from observational studies and randomized controlled trials examining the relationship between combined lifestyle behaviors and mental illness in emerging adults. A total of 17 studies met inclusion criteria, including 14 observational studies and three intervention trials. Observational findings consistently indicated that lifestyle patterns characterized by a greater number of unhealthy behaviors were associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. In contrast, the three intervention studies did not demonstrate significant improvements in mental health outcomes following lifestyle interventions. Overall, the findings suggest a synergistic effect of multiple lifestyle behaviors associated with mental illness in emerging adults. However, substantial heterogeneity in how studies defined and categorized “healthy” versus “unhealthy” behaviors limited cross-study comparisons. This review highlights the need for standardized measurement approaches and more rigorous intervention trials to elucidate the potential synergistic effects of combined lifestyle modifications on mental health outcomes in this population. Full article

Citrus × aurantium ‘Daidai’ (Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl.) is a sour orange cultivar whose dried flower buds are listed in the Chinese national catalogue of substances that serve both as food and as medicine, whereas the dried flower buds of the ordinary species C. × aurantium L. lack this dual recognition. Although the essential oil and hydrosol of these buds have been investigated, the still-bottom water remaining after hydrodistillation is routinely discarded and its chemical composition remains largely unexplored. In this study, we compared the chemical profiles of still-bottom water obtained from the dried flower buds of C. aurantium L. var. amara Engl. (CAVAF) and C. × aurantium L. (CALF) after two pretreatments (simple soaking vs. ultrasonic-microwave synergistic treatment) and evaluated the chemical antioxidant activities of both the hydrosol and the still-bottom water. HPLC-Q-TOF-HRMS identified 215 compounds across the four water samples. The major constituents were neohesperidin (13.18–39.66%), blumeatin (9.78–10.25%), narirutin (13.46–18.01%), and α-D-(6-O-Sinapoyl)-glucopyranosyl(1→22)-β-D-(3-O-sinapoyl)-fructofuranose (7.46–8.57%). Relative to CALF, the CAVAF samples contained a large number of annotated compounds and higher relative amounts of several flavonoids and limonoids (up to nine-fold) in the still-bottom water. Higher relative abundances of the principal flavonoid glycosides were observed after ultrasonic-microwave pretreatment compared with soaking. The hydrosol of both varieties showed only modest radical scavenging activity and weak reducing power. In contrast, the still-bottom water exhibited clear DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.1901 to 4.873 mg/mL, although reducing power remained limited. These findings suggest that botanical variety and pretreatment method may influence both the metabolite profile and the in vitro radical scavenging behavior of the distillation by-products. The results supply chemical compositional support for the food-medicine homology status of CAVAF and indicate that still-bottom water is a recoverable source of potential polar antioxidants that is currently under-utilized. Full article

To address cathode passivation, performance deterioration, and toxic stress during the removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in biocathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs), this study constructed nanomaterial-hybridized biocathodes to improve electricity generation and Cr(VI) removal in MFCs. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), nano-iron sulfide (nano-FeS), and rGO/nano-FeS were separately hybridized with biocathodes to systematically investigate the effects of different hybridized biocathodes on the performance of MFCs for Cr(VI)-containing wastewater treatment. The results showed that the FeS group exhibited the best Cr(VI) removal capability, with a maximum removal kinetic constant of 0.184 h⁻¹, which was 3.60 times that of the Control group, and showed the smallest performance decline after three consecutive cycles. Mechanistic analysis indicated that nano-FeS promoted the transformation of Cr(VI) into Cr(III) and Cr(0) through its strong adsorption and reducing capacities; it also enhanced biofilm cell activity and the protein/polysaccharide ratio in extracellular polymeric substances; furthermore, it shaped a multi-taxon-dominated microbial community capable of Cr(VI) tolerance and reduction and enhanced the associated metabolic functions, thereby improving resistance to Cr(VI) stress and effectively alleviating cathode passivation. In contrast, rGO tended to enhance biocathode conductivity and electricity generation in MFCs, with the rGO + FeS group achieving the highest power density output of 51.54 ± 3.62 mW/m², which was 1.22 times that of the Control group, as well as the smallest decline in power density after three consecutive cycles. Overall, nanomaterial hybridization reshaped interfacial electron transfer and microbial stress resistance in biocathodes, enabling efficient Cr(VI) removal and stable electricity generation, and providing a new strategy to construct long-term stable bioelectrochemical systems for heavy metal-containing wastewater treatment. Full article

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a major public health concern and contribute substantially to compromised quality of life, mortality, and healthcare burden. In the United States alone, millions of individuals are affected by alcohol use disorder (AUD), tobacco use disorder (TUD), and opioid use disorder (OUD), with many cases complicated by co-existing anxiety and stress-related disorders. Piper methysticum G. Forst (kava), a traditional South Pacific plant preparation, has gained attention for its anxiolytic, sedative, and sleep-promoting properties. Its pharmacological effects are primarily attributed to a set of lipophilic compounds known as kavalactones, which have been reported to modulate GABA_A receptor activity, dopaminergic and adrenergic signaling pathways, monoamine oxidase-B activity, cannabinoid receptor type 1 activity, and voltage-gated ion channels. Peer-reviewed literature was identified through searches of PubMed, NIH resources, and other scientific databases using terms related to kava, kavalactones, addiction, anxiety, stress, insomnia, and SUDs. Both clinical and preclinical studies were reviewed, including investigations of neurotransmitter systems and addiction-related signaling pathways. The current literature suggests that the strongest rationale for kava use exists in AUD, where anxiety and stress are established contributors to relapse. Evidence supporting kava use in TUD and OUD is largely theoretical, while concerns regarding hepatotoxicity, cytochrome P450 interactions, product variability, and additive risk remain important barriers to its clinical application. In summary, current evidence does not support kava as a replacement for established therapies, while its unique pharmacological profile warrants further investigation as a potential adjunctive treatment for withdrawal and relapse in SUDs. Full article

To explore the optimization effects of fixed aquatic water treatment materials combined with immunomodulatory agents on the ecosystem and farming efficiency of Litopenaeus vannamei in high-water-level ponds, this study established experimental ponds (with fixed aquatic water treatment materials and feed supplemented with chitosan oligosaccharides) and control ponds (no fixed water treatment materials applied, fed with basal feed only). Through a comparative trial over a complete farming cycle, the study systematically analyzed changes in plankton community structure and diversity, water physicochemical factors, shrimp growth performance, immune indicators, and muscle nutritional composition. The results showed that in the experimental group, diatoms (Ditylum brightwellii and Skeletonema) dominated the plankton community, while the density of harmful blue-green algae (Oscillatoria and Trichodesmium) significantly decreased, and planktonic animal diversity improved in the later stages. Among the water physicochemical indicators, the experimental group exhibited a 50% reduction in nitrite levels by the later stages, significantly higher than the 33.33% reduction in the control group. Total ammonia nitrogen levels remained lower than those in the control group, with a smaller increase in the later stages. Total phosphorus levels were significantly lower in the experimental group after 80 days, and the later-stage decline in chemical oxygen demand was 11.65% higher than that in the control group. Shrimp body weight increased significantly by 13.23%, while hepatosomatic index, musculosomatic index, and immune enzyme (acid phosphatase and total antioxidant substances) activity also improved markedly. The content of unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid and oleic acid) in the muscles significantly increased. The study demonstrated that the combined application of fixed aquatic water treatment materials and chitosan oligosaccharide preparations can optimize the farming water environment, enhance shrimp growth performance and quality, and provide technical support for the ecological cultivation of Litopenaeus vannamei. Full article

The edible oil self-sufficiency rate of China is only approximately 30%, with rapeseed as the largest source of edible oil, contributing more than half of the total edible vegetable oil. Therefore, it is very important to achieve high rapeseed yield to ensure supply security. Fertilizer is one of the key factors affecting rapeseed yield and quality, and the appropriate use of fertilizer is essential for ensuring both high yield and high quality. To investigate the effects of fertilizer rates on the growth, yield, and quality of rapeseed, 18 rapeseed varieties were grown under two fertilizer input levels: normal fertilizer (NF, 15-15-15 NPK compound fertilizer at 600 kg·ha⁻¹) and high fertilizer (HF, 15-15-15 NPK compound fertilizer at 1200 kg·ha⁻¹). Agronomic traits, physiological indicators, yield, and quality of these varieties were systematically analyzed in this study. In addition, transcriptomic data from stems collected at the silique stage were used to identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and the correlations between the expression levels of these candidate genes, physiological indicators, agronomic traits, and yield were examined. Compared with the NF treatment, the HF treatment promoted rapeseed growth during the bolting stage (except for root collar diameter). At harvest, 27.8% of the rapeseed varieties showed a significant increase in the number of effective branches per plant, while 33.3% exhibited significant increases in both the number of effective siliques per plant and the yield per plant. Among these varieties, Z01, Z02, Huayouza 50, and Huayouza 652 showed the greatest overall yield increases. The oil content decreased in 88.9% of the varieties, whereas the unsaturated fatty acid content increased in 77.8%, and the protein content increased in 94.4% of the varieties. Under HF treatment, superoxide dismutase activity in leaves at the bolting stage and peroxidase activity in leaves at the initial flowering stage both increased significantly (by 19.07% and 10.41%, respectively). The content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (expressed as malondialdehyde equivalents) in stems at the initial flowering stage increased significantly (by 138.39%). In addition, catalase activity in leaves at the 3- to 4-leaf stage reached its highest value among all treatments (27.31 U·g⁻¹·min⁻¹·FW). The KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs were significantly enriched in secondary metabolite biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, plant–pathogen interactions, and metabolic pathways. Through screening against the NCBI database and subsequent validation by RT-qPCR, we ultimately identified four candidate DEGs: BnaC05g02370D, BnaC09g49910D, BnaC03g45470D, and BnaA04g00130D. Among these four varieties, catalase activity and malondialdehyde content in rapeseed stems at the initial flowering stage showed significant positive correlations with yield (r = 0.738 and r = 0.894, respectively). BnaC09g49910D maintained a consistently positive correlation with yield under both the HF and NF treatments (r = 0.977 and r = 0.806, respectively). In contrast, the direction of the association for BnaC05g02370D reversed depending on the fertilizer level (r = −0.858 under HF vs. r = 0.443 under NF). Catalase activity and the content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in stems at the initial flowering stage and the expression levels of BnaC05g02370D and BnaC09g49910D in stems at the silique stage are associated with yield to varying degrees. These indicators can be used as candidate traits for assessing rapeseed yield potential under different fertilizer input levels. Full article

Biofilms contribute significantly to the persistence and transmission of Campylobacter jejuni, yet enzymatic strategies for disrupting these structures remain underexplored. In this study, we evaluated the activity of a glycosyl hydrolase, CAase, against both planktonic and biofilm-associated C. jejuni. CAase showed no inhibitory effect on planktonic growth at concentrations up to 1 mg/mL. However, at 0.1 mg/mL, CAase reduced mature biofilm biomass by more than 93% in the wild-type strain and produced similar reductions in a luxS mutant, demonstrating substantial degradation of conserved glycan components within the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging revealed substantial extracellular matrix loss, structural disruption, and altered cell morphology following CAase treatment. Rheological measurements demonstrated marked decreases in kinematic viscosity, further reflecting weakened biofilm cohesion. Together, these results indicate that CAase effectively disrupts multiple components of C. jejuni biofilm architecture despite lacking direct antimicrobial activity. This level of biofilm removal suggests potential utility in poultry-processing or surface-sanitation applications where targeted enzymatic disruption could enhance cleaning efficacy. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent synthetic chemicals of global concern. While most research has focused on their occurrence and toxicity, far less attention has been paid to their impacts on the global carbon cycle. This review synthesizes current evidence on how PFASs influence carbon cycling across soils, aquatic systems, and the atmosphere. In soils, PFASs alter organic carbon inputs by affecting plant biomass and root exudates and shift microbial community composition and enzyme activities, thereby modulating organic matter decomposition. In aquatic ecosystems, PFASs biologically impair carbon sequestration by inhibiting plankton, and abiotically interact with extracellular polymeric substances to prolong the cycling of dissolved organic carbon. The atmosphere acts as a key mediator as follows: thermal treatment of PFASs generates perfluorocarbons, potent greenhouse gases that exacerbate global warming and further disturb carbon cycling. Despite clear disruptive effects, major knowledge gaps remain. Future research should use quantitative structure–property relationship modeling to assess PFAS alternatives (e.g., PFHxS), and employ advanced molecular tracking (e.g., isotopic labeling, NanoSIMS) and machine learning to unravel nonlinear PFAS–carbon dynamics. Improved detection technologies are needed to identify greenhouse gas byproducts from PFAS thermal treatment. Ultimately, deploying high-resolution flux observation networks and integrating PFAS dynamics into Earth system models and carbon-accounting frameworks are critical for predicting carbon–climate feedback and supporting global carbon neutrality goals. Full article

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are recoverable high-value biopolymers from excess sludge (ES), but their antioxidant performance and enhancement strategies remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated sludge-derived EPS (EPS_S) and Pseudomonas sp.-derived EPS (EPS_P) to elucidate the effects of source, extraction conditions, and sulfation on antioxidant activity. Compositional analysis, physicochemical characterization, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy were used for mechanistic analysis. EPS_S exhibited stronger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity than EPS_P, associated with its higher polysaccharide content, lower protein-to-polysaccharide ratio, and more stable polysaccharide–protein heterogeneous network. Extraction conditions significantly influenced EPS yield, particle size, apparent viscosity, and composition; optimal recovery efficiency and antioxidant activity were achieved by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm for 10 min followed by dialysis through a 3500 Da molecular weight cutoff membrane. Sulfation successfully introduced sulfate ester groups while preserving the main structural framework, further enhancing the radical scavenging activities of both EPS types. Notably, EPS_S demonstrated greater structural stability during sulfation and retained higher Pb(II) removal capacity compared with EPS_P at the tested concentration. Overall, this study provides a mechanistic understanding of factors governing EPS antioxidant performance and validates sulfation as an effective enhancement strategy, supporting the high-value utilization of ES from wastewater treatment plants. Full article

This study evaluates the performance of an indigenous microalgae-assisted aerobic digestion process for sewage sludge stabilization in a pilot-scale photobioreactor (20 L) operated over 20 days without external aeration. The system achieved 53% volatile solids reduction, exceeding the 38–40% threshold required by European stabilization guidelines, alongside 34% total nitrogen and 75% total phosphorus removal. Indigenous microalgal biomass increased substantially from 1.6% to 17% of total biomass, with photosynthetically generated oxygen serving as the primary driver of aerobic bacterial activity and organic matter mineralization. Sludge settleability improved markedly (SVI from 154 to 54 mL/g), accompanied by significant floc size reduction (220 to 33 µm); however, this was accompanied by a clear deterioration in dewaterability, with CST increasing from 16 to 27 s and SRF rising approximately 4-fold, representing a practical trade-off that must be addressed for full-scale application. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) analysis showed a clear shift from tightly bound to soluble and loosely bound fractions during treatment, and Pearson correlations indicated that soluble EPS was linked to poorer settling and dewatering, while tightly bound EPS was associated with larger flocs and better sludge structure, confirming EPS restructuring as a key mechanism behind the observed changes in sludge properties. These findings highlight both the strong stabilization potential of this process and the need for targeted dewatering mitigation strategies to support its scale-up. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic fluorinated compounds widely recognized for their stability and persistence in the environment. These characteristics make PFAS valuable in many applications but also pose serious health risks because they do not break down easily. These chemicals can accumulate in living organisms and persist in water systems. PFAS typically transfer from water to other media rather than being completely degraded by conventional treatment technologies such as adsorption and membrane filtration. Chemical degradation techniques, i.e., advanced oxidation processes or electrochemical conversions, require harsh reaction conditions, which make them unsustainable. Microbial degradation offers a green, sustainable alternative for PFAS remediation in water. This review critically analyzes advances in the use of bacterial, fungal, and microbial consortia for PFAS transformation via reductive and oxidative defluorination and/or metabolic reactions. Later, the influence of PFAS structural attributes, i.e., chain length and functional head groups, on microbial activities has been discussed. In the following section, the current progress toward the complete mineralization of PFAS is evaluated. Considering the critical evaluation of microbial degradation processes, several research gaps have been identified, including the lack of detailed mechanistic studies of enzymatic degradation pathways, the need to optimize microbial systems for the sustainable degradation of PFAS, and the integration of biological approaches with other technologies to achieve complete PFAS mineralization. The most important is scaling up microbial techniques by cost evaluation of the process to compete with other physicochemical techniques. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants. Conventional destructive technologies, such as advanced oxidation and electrochemical processes, can achieve partial or complete defluorination. However, their high energy demand, chemical inputs, and operational complexity limit widespread implementation. Increasing evidence indicates that biological systems provide complementary mechanisms for PFAS management through partial biotransformation, defluorination of selected structurally susceptible compounds, and biomass-driven partitioning. This review evaluates the evidence for partial, largely precursor-directed PFAS biotransformation and biocatalytic defluorination through reductive, oxidative, and hydrolytic pathways. It also examines enzymatic carbon–fluorine bond cleavage by fluoroacetate dehalogenases, haloacid dehalogenases, and reductive systems, while recognizing that their demonstrated activity is generally limited to monofluorinated, activated, or polyfluorinated substrates rather than conventional fully perfluorinated PFAS. Laboratory and field observations demonstrate substantial PFAS enrichment within aquatic biomass, including intracellular compartments and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), indicating that living systems can function as dynamic concentrators that partition PFAS from the aqueous phase. Building on these findings, this review advances a separation-first framework in which PFAS are initially captured and concentrated within biological matrices before the application of targeted destruction, regeneration, or residual-management technologies. By decoupling concentration from transformation, this approach enables independent optimization of each step, potentially reducing treatment volumes and improving overall process sustainability. Full article

Implementation of real-scale systems for rainwater harvesting, treatment and reuse of greywater in residential areas is challenging because several factors should be considered for full adoption and satisfaction of decision-makers, urban developers and users. Technological, construction, operational, social (acceptance), impact on water resources, regulatory, and economic factors are involved. This study presents the implementation of a full-scale hybrid system for rainwater harvesting, treatment and reuse of greywater in a residential building located in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. The study included intervening in the hydraulic infrastructure of an already constructed residential building for collecting greywater, harvesting and collecting rainwater, designing and constructing an 80 m² controlled natural soil treatment system (CNSTS) and a 65 m³ storage tank for treating and storing rain and greywater. Furthermore, the full-scale hybrid system was monitored under real operating conditions for a two-month period to assess its performance. Results showed that the CNSTS has the potential to replace up to 2835 m³ year⁻¹ of potable water, equivalent to 65% of the building’s annual water consumption. The CNSTS achieved removal efficiencies of up to ~90% for Chemical Oxygen Demand, 90% for surfactants, and 50% for total nitrogen. Most of the measured parameters complied with the corresponding limits established by the Mexican standards NOM-003-SEMARNAT-1997 for non-potable water reuse, NOM-001-SEMARNAT-2021 for wastewater discharges, and NOM-127-SSA1-2021 for potable water with the exception of methylene blue active substances (surfactants), which exceeded the permissible limit during the initial monitoring stage, highlighting the need for further optimization of the system’s vegetative cover. Based on these findings, conceptual designs and preliminary evaluations were conducted for additional buildings, resulting in potable water substitution rates above 90% with investment payback periods of 2 to 5 years, depending on the water demand and the water catchment potential. Full article